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Looking to get to the next level

Hey guys, new to the forum! I'm primarily a drummer but have been picking up guitar the last couple years. Got a dsl40c with a creamback, and clipped the c19 capacitor, and the thing sounds incredible. Also just picked up an epiphone 1960s tribute plus with gibson 57 classic pups. I'm super thrilled with the tone I've got, so I think I'm great in that department, but I'm struggling to see where to go now in terms of my playing. I can solo fairly okay, sticking primarily in the minor pentatonic, but I usually like to experiment within the scale rather than stick to certain "licks" as I hate the sound of my playing becoming stale. However my speed is poor (of course speed is not the answer!), but I am looking for things to practice to try to lift my playing to another level, whether it be speed or technique exercises. I really dig that stereotypical rock and roll gibson+marshall tone and style, love the smoothness of those like Slash, ac/dc, Page, but also the versatility of someone like Jeff Beck. At the same time, I ogle over eric johnsons ripping pentatonic virtuosity.

So I'd consider myself an intermediate player, where can I go from where I am at now? I never took formal lessons and can't really afford to do so, but I want to challenge myself and branch out as much as I can.

Re: Looking to get to the next level

Originally Posted by Markypizz

Hey guys, new to the forum! I'm primarily a drummer but have been picking up guitar the last couple years. Got a dsl40c with a creamback, and clipped the c19 capacitor, and the thing sounds incredible. Also just picked up an epiphone 1960s tribute plus with gibson 57 classic pups. I'm super thrilled with the tone I've got, so I think I'm great in that department, but I'm struggling to see where to go now in terms of my playing. I can solo fairly okay, sticking primarily in the minor pentatonic, but I usually like to experiment within the scale rather than stick to certain "licks" as I hate the sound of my playing becoming stale. However my speed is poor (of course speed is not the answer!), but I am looking for things to practice to try to lift my playing to another level, whether it be speed or technique exercises. I really dig that stereotypical rock and roll gibson+marshall tone and style, love the smoothness of those like Slash, ac/dc, Page, but also the versatility of someone like Jeff Beck. At the same time, I ogle over eric johnsons ripping pentatonic virtuosity.

So I'd consider myself an intermediate player, where can I go from where I am at now? I never took formal lessons and can't really afford to do so, but I want to challenge myself and branch out as much as I can.

Mark

I've been teaching for 30+ years, and I'm sorry to say that what you need is a good teacher, that you can question, and one who knows his stuff. You really can't learn online, for free. You get what you pay for. I have a TON of students like you who can't get past what the free online players-posing-as-teachers could show them in a 5 minute video. It's just the truth--you get what you pay for, and if you want real schooling, you have to find a teacher and pay him for his knowledge.

Re: Looking to get to the next level

Karldoog is correct. I couldn't have put it better. Same experience here with the students that come to me.

I would only only add the thought that you keep your instructor options open. You might be blessed and find the perfect teacher for you on the first shot but it never hurts to explore a few. I provide all of my prospective students with a free first visit where I explain in depth what and how I am going to teach them and encourage questions. Ask any perspective teacher what and how they teach. If they can't answer those 2 questions......

Re: Looking to get to the next level

I really need a good teacher....one that can shift between jazz and traditional rock/blues. One that knows the major/minor transitional scales. Where I live that's like stumbling over a Unicorn making love to an Elf under a rainbow with a pot of gold at the end.